Principal's Message

Topic: GWSS School Improvement Plans for Student Achievement (SIPSA) 

Dear Students, Families, and Staff:

This school year, HDSB shared with all of the Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP). The purpose of the MYSP is to set direction and prioritize the collective actions of all students, staff, families and community members. The 2024-2028 MYSP builds on the achievements of the 2020-2024 plan and adds a sixth commitment to emp​hasize the growing importance of kindness, connection and community across our organization. This new commitment reflects our dedication to creating inclusive and welcoming learning environments where all students and staff feel a sense of belonging.

​HDSB Commitments

• Learning, Engagement and Achievement

• Kindness, Connection and Community

• Indigenous Rights and Education​

• Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion

• Mental Health and Well-Being

• Environmental and Global Citizenship

Each year, schools develop and review their School Improvement Plans for Student Achievement (SIPSA). This process of school improvement is continuous and iterative, involving regular cycles of assessing, planning, acting, and reflecting. As a leadership team, in collaboration with the administration, we have carefully reviewed data from various sources and, based on our findings, have identified three key goals for our school:

Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion

Goal #1 - Increase in the number of students who feel their social identity is represented in school. Students’ learning will be  grounded in anti-racist, anti-colonial and anti-oppressive practices.

Learning, Engagement and Achievement

Goal #2 - Improved outcomes for students through a variety of pathway options and pedagogical approaches in response to their unique interests and aspirations.

Mental Health and Well-Being

Goal #3 - Decrease in bullying, increase in students feeling safe and in students experiencing positive school climate and sense of belonging. Students will engage regularly with explicit learning and practicing of anti-bullying strategies provided by educators so that all students enjoy being at school, have a strong sense of belonging, and experience positive mental health and well-being.

We have successfully shared our goals with our staff, school, and council, and now, we are excited to extend this communication to our broader school community. By working collaboratively, we have not only outlined our goals but also developed a comprehensive plan of action to ensure their successful implementation. This plan includes clear strategies that will allow us to monitor our progress over time, ensuring that we stay on track to achieve our objectives.

Through regular assessments and feedback loops, we will evaluate how well these goals are supporting student achievement at GWSS. These strategies will allow us to gather data on student progress, identify areas for improvement, and make adjustments as needed to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive. It is our collective commitment to continuous improvement, and together, we will foster an environment that supports academic growth and success for all our students.

We look forward to engaging with the entire school community as we move forward with this plan and continue to work together towards achieving our shared vision for student success.

Kindly,

Luisa Botelho

Report Card Reminder

Just a reminder that semester 1 final report cards went out electronically on Friday, February 7. Please be sure to download a copy on your computer now as the link is only valid for 30 days.

Semester 2 Photo Day

We will have a photo day on Monday, February 10 for any students who are new to Garth Webb or who have not had a photo taken yet this school year. Students who need to get a photo taken will make arrangements with their period 1 or 2 teacher on Monday morning then go to the cafeteria to have their photo taken.

This Week is Week B

For any families new to Garth Webb, we follow a “Week A” and “Week B” system. This means that every other week, our afternoon classes will flip (i.e. switch places). You will find the Week A and Week B schedules on our website here and in the school calendar for your reference.

From Monday, February 10 - Thursday, February 13, students will follow this schedule (Friday is a PA Day):

Period 1 8:30 - 9:50 AM

Period 2 9:55 - 11:10 AM

Period 3 (Lunch) 11:10 AM - 12:10 PM

Period 5 12:10 - 1:25 PM

Period 4 1:30 - 2:45 PM

GWS School Council Meeting

Our next School Council meeting is this Monday, February 10 at 6 pm in person in the Garth Webb Library.  All parents/guardians are welcome to attend school council meetings anytime. 

Visit the Garth Webb School Council page here.

A Special Visit from Director Ennis!

On Friday the 7th of February, we had the honor of welcoming Director of Education, Mr. Ennis, to Garth Webb! It was an incredible opportunity to showcase our school and all the amazing things that make it such a special place.

As Student Senator, I had the privilege of walking with our Principal Ms. Botelho, Director Ennis, Shaan Sharma, and Liam Healey from the Robotics Marketing Team. They did an exceptional job guiding Director Ennis through our Robotics and Tech rooms, highlighting the innovative projects and hands-on learning experiences that make our programs stand out. It was inspiring to see their passion and dedication in action!

Throughout the visit, we had great conversations about student leadership, mental health support, and career readiness—important areas where Garth Webb continues to grow. A huge thank you to Director Ennis for taking the time to engage with our school community, and to Shawn and Lima for representing our incredible Robotics team so well.

We are proud of everything Garth Webb has to offer and excited for what’s ahead! 💛🖤✨

– Aaisha Hassan, Student Senator

#GoChargers #GarthWebbPride

BSA Explores Art, Culture, and History at the AGO

On February 7th, the Black Student Association (BSA) took a day trip to the Art Gallery of Ontario, immersing themselves in a world of creativity, history, and cultural expression. One of the highlights of the visit was The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century exhibit, which offered a powerful exploration of hip-hop’s influence on art, identity, and social change.

This experience was especially meaningful during Black History Month, providing students with a deeper understanding of Black culture’s impact on the arts. The trip was not only an educational journey, but also a celebration of the resilience, creativity, and contributions of Black artists throughout history.

BHM Career Panels

In celebration of Black History Month, Garth Webb’s Black and Biracial Student Alliance (BSA), in collaboration with Student Services, has planned a series of Career Panels.

Please join us in the library to hear from the following individuals:

Business Focused

Thursday Feb. 13 @ lunch in the library

Rory Webber - VP Marketing and Communications

STEM Focused

Thursday Feb. 27 @ lunch in the library

Judith Robillard - Manager in Health Care

Dr. Shelly Morgan - Pharmacist

Tamika Ramsay - Co-op program Specialist with TMU

All presentations are tied to Education and Career/Life Planning Ministry Policy (Creating Pathways to Success: An Education and Career/Life Planning Program for Ontario Schools – Policy and Program Requirements, Kindergarten to Grade 12, 2013) with the goals of:

• Ensuring that all students develop the knowledge and skills they need to make informed education and career/life choices;

• Providing classroom and school-wide opportunities for this learning;

• Engaging parents and the broader community in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program, to support students in their learning.

Senior Semi Formal - Ticket Deadline This Monday, February 10

The Student Activities Council (SAC) is excited to share that we will be hosting a Senior (Grade 11 and 12) Semi Formal this year.

When: Thursday, Feb 27, 2025

Where: Burlington Convention Centre, 1120 Burloak Dr, Burlington, ON (905) 319-0319

Time: 6-10 pm (doors open at 5:50 pm)

Cost: $80/ticket (purchase on School Cash Online)

What’s included: Buffet meal, DJ dance, and Photo booth

Please note, this event is for Garth Webb students only (no guests allowed). Students must be in Grades 11 or 12 in order to purchase a ticket. There will only be 355 tickets available to be purchased due to the venue capacity. The last possible day to purchase tickets will be Monday, February 10, 2025 or when tickets are sold out.

Considerations:

The tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. As this is a school sanctioned event, all GW rules and expectations apply (Semi Formal Rules & Code of Conduct).

Students will need to bring their student card with them to the event in order to enter as there are no physical tickets. Security will be on site throughout the event.

Menu

Cold Items

European Rolls & Butter

Crudités with Ranch Dip

Three Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette and House Dressing

Potato Salad with Grainy Mustard Dressing

Roasted Pepper Fusilli Salad

Hot Entrées (Note: Chicken is halal)

Penne Pasta with Tomato Basil Sauce

Boneless Skin on Breast of Chicken served with Creole Butter Sauce

Medley of Fresh Vegetables

Roasted Potatoes

Dessert Table

Platters of Assorted Pastries & Squares 

Seasonal Fresh Cut Fruit Salad

Unlimited Soft Drinks Serviced from Bar

Fresh Brewed Colombian Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee & Tea Station

Please reach out to Adrienne Tolton (toltona@hdsb.ca) if you have any questions and/or dietary restrictions that are not accommodated for with the menu).

Student Trustee Elections 2025 

Our Student Trustees Kaitlyn Hou and Charlie Ochu are looking for passionate leaders (current Gr. 10 & 11 students) for the Student Trustee Elections - more details here.

Here are the remaining timelines for our Student Trustee Elections:

• Wed. Feb. 19 - Candidate Speeches available by video link for all HDSB students

• Thur. Feb. 20 - Student Trustee Election (online voting from 8:00am to 5:30pm) 

OSSLT Results - Available for Pick Up This Thursday

EQAO has notified us with the results of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) for those students who wrote in the Fall of 2024.  All students will be able to see their results reflected in myBlueprint as of Friday, February 7, 2025 and Individual Student Reports will be available for pick up in the Main Office as of Thursday, February 13, 2025.

Students who were not yet successful and their parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified via email on Thursday, January 30 at 4:00pm. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to email Sahar Monzavi-Bacon at monzavibacos@hdsb.ca.

Important Message from IT for Students Leaving the HDSB

As of February 15, 2025 students who are not returning for semester 2 will lose access to the HDSB Network & Google Workspace for Education applications, data, and email. Note this includes both Gmail and Drive.  

IMPORTANT:  If you have used your HDSB email when applying for post secondary, resume development, job applications, etc. you will need to update your information and change it to a personal email address before access to your HDSB account is lost 

To retain your Google Workspace data please see one of the options below: 

• Transfer email and Drive files to a personal Google Account using Transfer Your Content - see Transfer their content 

• Personal Gmail accounts only have 15 GB free drive space

• All files in your My Drive will count toward your quota 

• Archive data using Google Takeout

• The traditional Takeout is also available to create an archive of all their data in Google Workspace. 

 This will enable you to easily retain your email, essays, resumes, science projects, and any other files stored on Google Drive before access has been removed to your HDSB account.

This must be completed by February 15, 2025. Please note that the process can take quite some time to complete so don’t delay!

Upcoming Grade 11 Workshops

On February 25 many of our grade 11 classes will be participating in an in-school workshop led by Abhi Ahluwalia from an organization called UNLEARN. The focus of these workshops will be to support our students in developing their critical consciousness. The workshops will aim to challenge unconscious biases, strengthen equity lenses, and help our students advocate for social justice and human rights. 

We are excited to welcome UNLEARN to Garth Webb Secondary School and look forward to continuing our Equity work with UNLEARN. 

Fashion Forward Open Houses

Thank you to everyone who was able to donate formal wear to the Fashion Forward project. The open houses are scheduled in February through May for students to select, at no cost, donated formal wear for upcoming prom/graduation celebrations.

Students will have the opportunity to view and try on formal wear in a friendly and welcoming environment. Students may select from a variety of new and gently-used attire that has been donated for proms, graduations, and other special events. Many different styles, colours, and sizes of formal dresses will be available as well as suits, shirts, ties, shoes, and accessories.

The Open Houses will be held on the following dates:

• Monday, Feb. 24 and Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 3:30 - 8 p.m. at W.I. Dick Middle School (351 Highside Dr., Milton)

• Monday, March 31 from 3:30 - 8 p.m at Rolling Meadows Public School (1522 Mountain Grove, Burlington)

• Wednesday, April 2 from 3:30 - 8 p.m at Rolling Meadows Public School (1522 Mountain Grove, Burlington)

• Wednesday, May 7 from 3:30 - 8 p.m. at W.I. Dick Middle School (351 Highside Dr., Milton)

An opportunity will be made available for gender diverse youth who require a private shopping experience between the hours of 3 - 3:30 p.m.

Tuesdays @Ten

This past Tuesday, our school social worker joined us for the following presentations.

Supporting Secondary Students (Grade 9-12) with Anxiety and Depression: Practical Strategies and Interventions 

This presentation will help parents identify the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety among teens. Attendees will learn practical mental health coping strategies including how to support and validate your youth. Information about how to access school and community mental health services will be provided.

If you missed it, please feel free to access the recording.

Course Selection 2025/2026 School Year - Now Past Due

Thank you to everyone who submitted their courses for the 25/26 school year.  Guidance counsellors will be calling students down to Student Services who have not completed this task.  We ask that if you have not yet submitted them please do this as soon as possible.

Please use the resources below to help you with the process.  Students will be using myBlueprint in order to submit their courses (www.myblueprint.ca/halton).

Please read through the document below as it outlines considerations and key messages for each grade in order to ensure students are making an informed decision.

GWSS 2025/26 Course Selection Information

Grade 12 - Graduation Requirements

This message is a reminder of some important information as you navigate the postsecondary application process and completion of the final graduation requirements.

Community Hours

Students need to submit 40 community hours no later than May 1, 2025 for completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Students can submit their hours HERE. If needed, they can complete our recording form found HERE.

Online Learning Requirement

Students are also required to take two e-learning credits to graduate. However, students can opt out by returning this form to Student Services.

Scholarships

Information will be posted on the Grade 12 Google Classroom stream as well as in a document in Classwork. Information can also be found via the HDSB website: HDSB Scholarship Resources.

More details and resources on the above information can be found in our Grade 12 Presentation and Resource Slide Deck: Grade 12 Presentation 2024.

Provide Input on 2025-2026 Budget Priorities

The HDSB values input from community members and is encouraging parents/guardians and students to provide input on the budget development process for the 2025-2026 school year through an online survey by Feb. 9, 2025 at 4 p.m.

Thank you to everyone who submitted questions and joined our public information session last night. A recording of the session, along with frequently asked questions (FAQs) and additional resources, is available on the 2025-2026 Budget Input webpage of the HDSB website (hdsb.ca). We encourage you to review these resources and provide feedback to help guide decision-making.

The education sector has been presented with unprecedented challenges and funding pressures in recent years, compounded by an expected decline in student enrolment next year, driven by aging neighbourhoods and slower growth in new developments within Halton. With student enrolment as the main driver of funding, this decline will result in lost revenue, leading the HDSB to budget a $1.8 million deficit this year that must be eliminated next school year through a restrained budget development process focused on cost containment and balancing resources within funding limitations.

As we try to eliminate this deficit to balance our budget, we are seeking your input to help us understand how we can minimize impact and achieve our financial goals. Your feedback will inform final decision-making when the budget report is presented to the Board of Trustees for approval in June. 

We thank you in advance for taking the time to provide your input.

Anti-Sex Trafficking Information Session on Feb 20

The Halton District School Board, in collaboration with SAVIS of Halton and EFRY Hope and Help for Women, invites HDSB families and community members to an Anti-Sex Trafficking Information Session on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. The session will be held from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Georgetown District High School (70 Guelph Street, Georgetown). 

This session is being held in response to overwhelming participation in the joint Anti-Sex Trafficking information sessions held in February and June 2024 in Milton. This third session will be held in Halton Hills and will be identical in content to reach those in the community who were unable to attend the first two sessions. View a recap video from a previous session to learn more about the information and resources provided.

Those interested in attending can register online. This information session is open to all members of the community, and registration will remain open until the event reaches full capacity. Child minding will be provided at no cost for school-age children (Kindergarten to Grade 8). Overflow parking will be available next door at St. George's Anglican Church (60 Guelph Street, Georgetown).

The session will uncover the realities of sex trafficking and exploitation and provide insight into who is at risk, digital and cyber security considerations, warning signs and how to keep our children and youth safe. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from survivors of sex trafficking and representatives from Halton Regional Police Service, SAVIS of Halton and EFRY Hope and Help for Women. This event offers a unique opportunity to learn about the direct effects sex trafficking has on the individual and their community. 

We look forward to connecting with you at this important session. If you have any questions, please email contact@hdsb.ca. 

HDSB Devices and Networks Access Update

We are writing to make you aware of changes to what can be accessed on Halton District School Board (HDSB) devices (e.g., Chromebooks, iPads) and Wi-Fi to enhance network performance for all schools and align with Ministry expectations. Starting Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, streaming platforms and TikTok will no longer be available on HDSB devices and networks for students and staff. 

Why are we doing this?

Streaming services (e.g. Netflix, Disney+, etc.) and social media platforms such as TikTok use a lot of bandwidth and data which slows down the internet for essential educational functions like accessing critical online learning resources and assessments and video conferencing tools. We’re seeing that a disproportionate percentage of the HDSB’s bandwidth and data usage is utilized by streaming platforms and social media, with an exceptional amount of bandwidth being used by TikTok, which is straining our network infrastructure.

By limiting streaming and TikTok access during school hours, we can prioritize bandwidth for the things that are critical to students’ education, ensuring a faster and more reliable experience for all students. 

As you may recall, the Ontario Ministry of Education announced changes last Spring regarding social media access in schools through updates to the Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct (Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 128. This requires all school boards in the province to restrict access to social media platforms on school devices and networks. The HDSB is in the process of implementing these restrictions, beginning with TikTok and continuing with other social media platforms in the future.  

What does this mean for your child?

The HDSB network, including devices and school Wi-Fi, is intended for educational purposes to support student learning and is neither designed nor intended for recreational use. As a result, access to streaming services and TikTok will be disabled on HDSB devices and networks for students and staff on Feb. 18, 2025. Of course, streaming services and social media remain accessible on personal devices with data plans. This information has been shared with students. 

Thank you for your understanding as we work to improve the educational experience for all students by providing efficient and reliable network access that supports student learning.

As a reminder, tomorrow is a PA Day (all schools will be closed to students) and Monday, Feb. 17 is Family Day (all schools will be closed). We wish you a relaxing long weekend. 

An Important Message from Halton Region Public Health

Walk In Clinics for Immunizations

Clinic availability can change rapidly, but there are clinic spots open at our Halton Regional Centre location (1151 Bronte Road) Feb 10, 11, and 12. There will be an opportunity for walk-in appointments at the Milton location (Sherwood Community Centre, 6355 Main St W, Milton) on February 13 and at the Oakville location (Halton Regional Centre, 1151 Bronte Road) on Feb 13 & 14.

 Please call 311 or go to halton.ca/immunize to book an appointment (subject to availability) or for more information.

 Families can also seek vaccination at their Health Care Provider office. They would just need to report those vaccines in person at the Halton Regional Centre, 1151 Bronte Road once completed.

Parents/guardians with questions about their student’s record are encouraged to call 311 to speak to a public health nurse. If the student is 16/16+ the student is encouraged to call 311 themselves. Alternatively, if consent is provided by the student, the parent or guardian can speak on the student’s behalf. 

• Information about vaccine exemption can be found at halton.ca/immunize. 

• For more general information about Immunization in Ontario - see this Ministry of Health Informative Flyer.

•  Additional Language Translations can be found on the Ministry website linked here.

For students who are new to the HDSB and from outside Ontario:

Students over 16 years, or parent/guardians/ custodians of students under 16 years, can take their home country vaccine records in person to the Halton Regional Headquarters Building at 1151 Bronte Road in Oakville. 

AND - request an Immunization Identification Number and Online Account access by emailing: vaccinerecords@halton.ca

For the email Subject Line, use --> "HDSB Student Outside of Ontario Vaccination Record Submission"

In the email body, please attach:

1. Photo or PDF of the student's vaccination record from their outside of Ontario jurisdiction, and include the following student information in the email: Student full LEGAL Name, which would be the name on their passport/ birth certificate.

2. Student Date of Birth, written with Month Day, Year - For example January 1, 2021

3. The HDSB School the student(s) are attending - For example: Garth Webb Secondary School

Click here for further information.

Free Parent Session from ADAPT

ADAPT (Addiction, Drugs and Gambling Assessment Prevention and Treatment Services) – Problem Gambling and Behavioural Addictions Program is offering a 1-Day Education and Information Session:

PROBLEM GAMING AWARENESS & EDUCATION

Wednesday February 26

6-8pm Via ZOOM

This presentation is designed for families, loved ones, and friends who want to better understand Problem Gaming, support a loved one struggling with Gaming dependency, and learn how to maintain boundaries and a healthy balance.

Topics we will explore:   

1. What is Problem Gaming?

2. The Pros and Cons of Gaming

3. How to recognize signs of a Gaming addiction

4. Tips for creating a balance Gaming lifestyle

5. Coping Skills/Self Care  

6. Supports and Resources

**This presentation is free of charge.

Alternatively, Problem Gambling, Problem Gaming and Behavioural Addictions Program offers counselling support to individuals looking for one-on-one support. Our services are available via phone, video, or in-person. All services are client centred, confidential, and free of charge. 

If you are interested in registering for this presentation, or connecting with our program for individual services, please contact Jerico via email at JericoA@haltonadapt.org or Priya (Program Intake) via email priyac@haltonadapt.org or via telephone (905) 875-7924.

Upcoming Key Dates

Feb 10 Semester II Photo Day

Feb 11 OUAC/OCAS Upload

Feb 14 Professional Activity Day – No Classes

Feb 17 Family Day Holiday - School Closed

Feb 19 CP Day (late start @9:30 am)

Mar 4 Tuesdays @Ten

Mar 6 5th Week Progress Reports Emailed

Mar 10 - 14 Spring Break

Mar 20 Parent/Teacher Interviews 5:00 - 7:00 pm